So this is being posted late because yesterday was lots of fun.
I woke up sortof early and went on a nice run. It was my usual route, but on the way back I decided to go exploring. So I wandered around for about an hour, finding the really good grocery store and this awesome building that was actually a college. It was really cool.
Then I got back and had lunch and did homework the rest of the day. And then Elena and Jackie came over at about 10 because Sam and Kristen had said they would go out with them. Both were already in bed, so I went. It was a lot of fun. We went to Celtica, which had awesome music. We danced and sang and generally had a good time.
Some of the guys from our program were there, unintentionally. We said hello, but really didn't talk or hang out. They left before us for Delirium. Jackie and I really wanted to be home on the metro, which closes at 12:30, so we left Celtica at 12ish to take Elena over, as well as these British guys we met. We couldn't find the guys to leave Elena with, so we tried to take her to the metro with us, but she refused. She did end up meeting up with them. Jackie and I made the metro and got home about 1. I fell immediately to sleep.
Then today I woke up at 12:20 or so and had a nice breakfast before sitting down to homework. I took a nice shower and homework is nearly done. Now for dinner and more homework. I'm watching Fiddler on the Roof for a break and then finishing all of my projects.
Toodle-oo.
The musings of a twenty-something currently studying in Missouri.
Always loving the escape as much as the anchors.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Being Sick...
Is not very much fun. So early to bed tonite.
I got up in time to take a shower and eat before class, went to class, where we finished our "learning" for finance (haha, my book arrived today) and everyone found out that because of the volcano erupting under the glacier Eyjafjallajokull, all flights were canceled. Kristin and Sarah are already in Stockholm, and they don't know if they'll be able to get back on Monday, but all flights in the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland. Funny thing is, Iceland hasn't closed ANY airports...
These cancellations mean that pretty much everyone who was traveling isn't anymore. Including Sam, who was going to Scotland with Josh and Kyle. They had booked golf reservations for $200 a piece, nonrefundable, and can't go. Needless to say, there are a lot of unhappy people.
After class, I went to the grocery store with Sam and then did some homework, started my projects, and caught up on the tv I've missed (namely In Plain Sight and Criminal Minds). Oh, and I did a workout dance thing because I was going to go running but my knees hurt too badly to even hardly walk.
I'm super tired and really not feeling well, so I'm going to put in Fiddler on the Roof and fall asleep.
Goodnight, world.
I got up in time to take a shower and eat before class, went to class, where we finished our "learning" for finance (haha, my book arrived today) and everyone found out that because of the volcano erupting under the glacier Eyjafjallajokull, all flights were canceled. Kristin and Sarah are already in Stockholm, and they don't know if they'll be able to get back on Monday, but all flights in the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland. Funny thing is, Iceland hasn't closed ANY airports...
These cancellations mean that pretty much everyone who was traveling isn't anymore. Including Sam, who was going to Scotland with Josh and Kyle. They had booked golf reservations for $200 a piece, nonrefundable, and can't go. Needless to say, there are a lot of unhappy people.
After class, I went to the grocery store with Sam and then did some homework, started my projects, and caught up on the tv I've missed (namely In Plain Sight and Criminal Minds). Oh, and I did a workout dance thing because I was going to go running but my knees hurt too badly to even hardly walk.
I'm super tired and really not feeling well, so I'm going to put in Fiddler on the Roof and fall asleep.
Goodnight, world.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wednesday Night Fun
Wheeeeeeeeee. I'm hyper.
Marion is gone, I made Asian chicken pot pie for four, law was kindof interesting and we shared a bottle of bubbly with baked nutella after dinner.
But let me actually tell you the story.
This morning I woke up way late and had breakfast with Nigel and Marion. I had oatmeal with raisins and a banana with tea. Then we talked for a bit before they left for a museum and I went to class. Marion wanted to see some artist, but they had closed the museum or something, but I'm not really sure what happened.
Anyways, class was super short and we finished the material for our next class, so I came home and had a BLT with cheese for lunch, along with an orange and yogurt. It was very good. Then Marion and Nigel got back to pick up their things - they're driving back to Zurich tomorrow after spending the night in Luxembourg. They enjoyed their stay, or at least said they did. Marion was her normal self and Nigel was just as humorous as ever. It was fun.
Then I went to the grocery store - two actually - to get things for dinner. I made Asian chicken pot pie, and when I got back, Jackie was here, but no one else was. Turned out they had all bailed. But everyone liked dinner and I made baked nutella with the leftover pie crust (it was actually more like filo dough) and that was very tasty. Nigel had brought a bottle of bubbly, so we shared that with dinner and dessert and we all had a good time. We talked for a while and now Jackie and Kristen are watching The Office. Sam is getting ready for this weekend (Scotland) and I don't yet know what I'm doing. Probably finally read this last chapter for law and then watching a movie since I have all weekend. Nothing really interesting.
So on that note,
Goodnight, world.
Marion is gone, I made Asian chicken pot pie for four, law was kindof interesting and we shared a bottle of bubbly with baked nutella after dinner.
But let me actually tell you the story.
This morning I woke up way late and had breakfast with Nigel and Marion. I had oatmeal with raisins and a banana with tea. Then we talked for a bit before they left for a museum and I went to class. Marion wanted to see some artist, but they had closed the museum or something, but I'm not really sure what happened.
Anyways, class was super short and we finished the material for our next class, so I came home and had a BLT with cheese for lunch, along with an orange and yogurt. It was very good. Then Marion and Nigel got back to pick up their things - they're driving back to Zurich tomorrow after spending the night in Luxembourg. They enjoyed their stay, or at least said they did. Marion was her normal self and Nigel was just as humorous as ever. It was fun.
Then I went to the grocery store - two actually - to get things for dinner. I made Asian chicken pot pie, and when I got back, Jackie was here, but no one else was. Turned out they had all bailed. But everyone liked dinner and I made baked nutella with the leftover pie crust (it was actually more like filo dough) and that was very tasty. Nigel had brought a bottle of bubbly, so we shared that with dinner and dessert and we all had a good time. We talked for a while and now Jackie and Kristen are watching The Office. Sam is getting ready for this weekend (Scotland) and I don't yet know what I'm doing. Probably finally read this last chapter for law and then watching a movie since I have all weekend. Nothing really interesting.
So on that note,
Goodnight, world.
What a day...
Well, this morning I woke up lateish to a breakfast prepared by Marion and Nigel. I soon left for a NATO-Parliamentary Assembly thing for law, which was actually pretty interesting.
NATO is obviously the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but the NATO-PA is what we visited today. While they work with NATO, it is actually something separate, with basically a collection of congressmen and parliamentary figures who get together to actually solve the world's problems. Though the guys who talked today both claimed they were liberal, there was general consensus among the Republicans who attended that he should run for president. Overall, the lecture was really interesting, and I'm glad I went, even if I was a little late.
Then I went over to CUBC for finance class, which was just delightful. Eric really is a wonderful person, but he can't teach. We whipped through slides, missed so much, everyone was confused, and all he said was, "This is so easy." I was literally laughed at when I asked him to go through an example. I wasn't the only one who got that response, either. He finds it amusing that we don't understand and, instead of helping, tells us to read the book or ask someone else. We did a problem which was "super easy" but he couldn't even give us the right formulas or figure out the answer.
Then I came back to the apartment and took a shower before Marion and Nigel got back from MiniEurope, where Sam had suggested they go. They did greatly enjoy it. We had tea and brownies before they left to wander some more and I did "homework"...
We met at 8 for dinner, and tonite we had Chinese. I had wonton soup and sweet and sour pork, which wasn't bad. Dinner lasted a long time and we got back about 11.
When we got back, I asked if anything exciting happened - well, the answer was yes. And we had missed it by about 15 minutes. Kristen had gone out to dinner with a whole bunch of people for someone's 20th birthday and came back early since they were all going out to drink and she doesn't. So it was pretty early and we've gotten back much later. But two guys mugged her outside our apartment! Literally on our doorstep. She screamed and Sam heard her from the 3rd floor (4th if you count the American way). A car pulled up and honked and shined their lights at the guys, but Kristen didn't get a good look. She was shaking too much to even get the key in the door even though she was standing right there and had it out. She did get in, and she was fine and nothing was taken, but she's shaken up a bit. I think we all are. Sam and I have been pretty confident about going out and stuff, and we're in a really good part of town, so it's surprising and worrying. We'll just be extra careful from now on.
After that, there isn't much else to say. Just homework and bed.
Goodnight, world.
NATO is obviously the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, but the NATO-PA is what we visited today. While they work with NATO, it is actually something separate, with basically a collection of congressmen and parliamentary figures who get together to actually solve the world's problems. Though the guys who talked today both claimed they were liberal, there was general consensus among the Republicans who attended that he should run for president. Overall, the lecture was really interesting, and I'm glad I went, even if I was a little late.
Then I went over to CUBC for finance class, which was just delightful. Eric really is a wonderful person, but he can't teach. We whipped through slides, missed so much, everyone was confused, and all he said was, "This is so easy." I was literally laughed at when I asked him to go through an example. I wasn't the only one who got that response, either. He finds it amusing that we don't understand and, instead of helping, tells us to read the book or ask someone else. We did a problem which was "super easy" but he couldn't even give us the right formulas or figure out the answer.
Then I came back to the apartment and took a shower before Marion and Nigel got back from MiniEurope, where Sam had suggested they go. They did greatly enjoy it. We had tea and brownies before they left to wander some more and I did "homework"...
We met at 8 for dinner, and tonite we had Chinese. I had wonton soup and sweet and sour pork, which wasn't bad. Dinner lasted a long time and we got back about 11.
When we got back, I asked if anything exciting happened - well, the answer was yes. And we had missed it by about 15 minutes. Kristen had gone out to dinner with a whole bunch of people for someone's 20th birthday and came back early since they were all going out to drink and she doesn't. So it was pretty early and we've gotten back much later. But two guys mugged her outside our apartment! Literally on our doorstep. She screamed and Sam heard her from the 3rd floor (4th if you count the American way). A car pulled up and honked and shined their lights at the guys, but Kristen didn't get a good look. She was shaking too much to even get the key in the door even though she was standing right there and had it out. She did get in, and she was fine and nothing was taken, but she's shaken up a bit. I think we all are. Sam and I have been pretty confident about going out and stuff, and we're in a really good part of town, so it's surprising and worrying. We'll just be extra careful from now on.
After that, there isn't much else to say. Just homework and bed.
Goodnight, world.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Quick Note
Gabe's post on the Red Light District is up. Posted on the "right" day under the title "I AMsterdam".
Enjoy =]
Enjoy =]
Back to Real Life
Wah. I want it to be last week again... Minus a few select people.
Anyways, I woke up this morning, had some breakfast, read some of my text book, cleaned and made a delicious cheesy BLT and went to law. I cleaned up everything to make room for Marion and Nigel, who got here about 4.
Law was ok, pretty much the usual, and then I stayed a bit to go over my test and study and stuff. Then I came back and did some more work until Nigel and Marion got here. They stayed for a bit before going out - I have a lot of work to do, so I stayed behind and did some work before meeting them for dinner at 8.
We went to a little restaurant off the galerie, where I had some delicious mussels and tomato soup (separate, of course). Afterwards, we got ice cream (mmmm citron) and headed back. It's late and I have a lot to do tomorrow, so time for bed. I'm sleeping on the couch.
Goodnight, world.
Anyways, I woke up this morning, had some breakfast, read some of my text book, cleaned and made a delicious cheesy BLT and went to law. I cleaned up everything to make room for Marion and Nigel, who got here about 4.
Law was ok, pretty much the usual, and then I stayed a bit to go over my test and study and stuff. Then I came back and did some more work until Nigel and Marion got here. They stayed for a bit before going out - I have a lot of work to do, so I stayed behind and did some work before meeting them for dinner at 8.
We went to a little restaurant off the galerie, where I had some delicious mussels and tomato soup (separate, of course). Afterwards, we got ice cream (mmmm citron) and headed back. It's late and I have a lot to do tomorrow, so time for bed. I'm sleeping on the couch.
Goodnight, world.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
All Caught Up
Wow. It's been an incredible ten days. I'm sad that they're over. Having Gabe here and traveling with him was a blast and I'm sorry that he had to leave this morning.
We got up early and had breakfast before catching a taxi to the airport. It turned out that we got there pretty early and there wasn't a line, so we sat in the cafe for a bit before he had to go through security. I miss him already, but I'll be home in three weeks.
Three weeks.
This program was sixteen weeks. There are three left. What happened? How? I can't believe how fast it's passed. It simultaneously feels like I've been here forever but also like I was at Magnet yesterday. I graduated nearly a year ago. And this summer will be here in three weeks, and then two years left of college and I'm just going to stop because I don't want to think about it. I think I finally understand the phrase, "Carpe diem."
So let's review, now that I'm staying in Brussels for the rest of my study abroad:
Brussels, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Venice, Lido, Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Bruges, Dublin, Howthe, Birmingham, London, Paris, Charleston, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nahariyya, Ginosar, Abu Gosh, Tiberius, and Amsterdam.
Twenty-four in thirteen weeks. Wow. Five weekends out of fifteen spent in Brussels... That seems like a lot, but only because they were so spaced out. Now, to rank them:
Tel Aviv, Ginosar, Jerusalem, Nahariyya, Tiberius, Howthe, Haifa, Dublin, Charleston, Abu Gosh, Venice, Barcelona, Zurich, Madrid, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Lido, Dusseldorf, London, Paris, Toledo, Bruges, Cologne, Brussels
(This is how it was last time I ranked them: Howth > Dublin > Venice > Charleston > Barcelona > London > Madrid > Zurich > Rockland > New York City > New Orleans/Baton Rouge > Cologne > Bruge > Toledo >Dusseldorf > Brussels)
Anyways. After the airport, I came back to the apartment and did homework, took a shower, did some laundry, had a BLT for lunch and procrastinated. Also, all pictures are up and tagged and commented and everything and (if you couldn't already tell) I updated my blog to include everything and catch up. This week and next should be busy with lots of homework and tests. Marion and Nigel come tomorrow afternoon, too.
But now it's time to actually do work. Homework and reading. Tests next week.
Goodnight, world.
We got up early and had breakfast before catching a taxi to the airport. It turned out that we got there pretty early and there wasn't a line, so we sat in the cafe for a bit before he had to go through security. I miss him already, but I'll be home in three weeks.
Three weeks.
This program was sixteen weeks. There are three left. What happened? How? I can't believe how fast it's passed. It simultaneously feels like I've been here forever but also like I was at Magnet yesterday. I graduated nearly a year ago. And this summer will be here in three weeks, and then two years left of college and I'm just going to stop because I don't want to think about it. I think I finally understand the phrase, "Carpe diem."
So let's review, now that I'm staying in Brussels for the rest of my study abroad:
Brussels, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Venice, Lido, Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Bruges, Dublin, Howthe, Birmingham, London, Paris, Charleston, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nahariyya, Ginosar, Abu Gosh, Tiberius, and Amsterdam.
Twenty-four in thirteen weeks. Wow. Five weekends out of fifteen spent in Brussels... That seems like a lot, but only because they were so spaced out. Now, to rank them:
Tel Aviv, Ginosar, Jerusalem, Nahariyya, Tiberius, Howthe, Haifa, Dublin, Charleston, Abu Gosh, Venice, Barcelona, Zurich, Madrid, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Lido, Dusseldorf, London, Paris, Toledo, Bruges, Cologne, Brussels
(This is how it was last time I ranked them: Howth > Dublin > Venice > Charleston > Barcelona > London > Madrid > Zurich > Rockland > New York City > New Orleans/Baton Rouge > Cologne > Bruge > Toledo >Dusseldorf > Brussels)
Anyways. After the airport, I came back to the apartment and did homework, took a shower, did some laundry, had a BLT for lunch and procrastinated. Also, all pictures are up and tagged and commented and everything and (if you couldn't already tell) I updated my blog to include everything and catch up. This week and next should be busy with lots of homework and tests. Marion and Nigel come tomorrow afternoon, too.
But now it's time to actually do work. Homework and reading. Tests next week.
Goodnight, world.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Relaxing Saturday
Well, this morning we slept in before eating a yummy breakfast of eggs, toast and bacon (thanks, Dad =] it is really good). Then we headed to the grocery store.
We went to the Colruyt to see what they had and if there was anything interesting that Gabe wanted to take home. We had gone to the GB, so we knew of some things he wanted, but we found some others. Not everything we wanted was there, so we did end up going back to the GB, and I hope that he and everyone he shares with enjoys it.
We packed when we got back, and both suitcases came out perfectly. I owe a huge thank you to Gabe for taking so much stuff back with him. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten everything back without him. I don't even know how I'm going to get it all home now... I have to go to the post office soon, though, but we'll see how much I have to ship.
Then we went down to Grand Place, where we got frites with curry ketchup, which was very tasty. We enjoyed walking around and watching the people. Gabe remarked that the biggest difference between Brussels and Charleston is that none of the tourists here smile. I'd never noticed, but I guess it contributes a lot to the overall feel of Belgium. There were also a ton of tourists.
We had dinner at the same restaurant the program ate at the first night, and we both had delicious vol-au-vent. Gabe enjoyed a Tongerlo beer and I had a Mystic Cranberry Raspberry. Afterwards, we each got waffles (white chocolate/dolce de leche for him and chocolate and strawberries for me) and returned to the apartment.
We're going to watch a movie, but most likely we'll fall asleep. Ten days flew by and I can't believe Gabe is leaving tomorrow morning. =[ It's been a ton of fun. I asked him today what was most interesting about the trip, and he said that it was Israel being as modern and cosmopolitan as it was. I guess I'd have to agree, but I don't feel I was as surprised. We'd both recommend visiting Israel to anyone and everyone.
Goodnight, world.
We went to the Colruyt to see what they had and if there was anything interesting that Gabe wanted to take home. We had gone to the GB, so we knew of some things he wanted, but we found some others. Not everything we wanted was there, so we did end up going back to the GB, and I hope that he and everyone he shares with enjoys it.
We packed when we got back, and both suitcases came out perfectly. I owe a huge thank you to Gabe for taking so much stuff back with him. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten everything back without him. I don't even know how I'm going to get it all home now... I have to go to the post office soon, though, but we'll see how much I have to ship.
Then we went down to Grand Place, where we got frites with curry ketchup, which was very tasty. We enjoyed walking around and watching the people. Gabe remarked that the biggest difference between Brussels and Charleston is that none of the tourists here smile. I'd never noticed, but I guess it contributes a lot to the overall feel of Belgium. There were also a ton of tourists.
We had dinner at the same restaurant the program ate at the first night, and we both had delicious vol-au-vent. Gabe enjoyed a Tongerlo beer and I had a Mystic Cranberry Raspberry. Afterwards, we each got waffles (white chocolate/dolce de leche for him and chocolate and strawberries for me) and returned to the apartment.
We're going to watch a movie, but most likely we'll fall asleep. Ten days flew by and I can't believe Gabe is leaving tomorrow morning. =[ It's been a ton of fun. I asked him today what was most interesting about the trip, and he said that it was Israel being as modern and cosmopolitan as it was. I guess I'd have to agree, but I don't feel I was as surprised. We'd both recommend visiting Israel to anyone and everyone.
Goodnight, world.
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